Chapter
1
How
to Search for a Washington Job: Before You Arrive
Why a Career in Public Policy?
Why Washington?
Sidebar – Web Sites About Washington, D.C.
Expectations vs. Realities of Washington Jobs
Sidebar – Washington Newspapers Online
How to Prepare Yourself Academically
Starting Your Job Search
How to Write a Resume
Sidebar – Action Verbs Make Your Resume Sparkle
How to Target Your Resumes
The Art of the Cover Letter
The Art of the Phone Call
Chapter
2
How to Search for a
Washington Job:
In the City
Sidebar – Where to Stay in Washington
Preparing for Interviews
The Interview
Sidebar – Getting Around Washington
Sidebar – Temp Work for Policy Wonks
The Job Offer
Juggling Multiple Job Opportunities
Chapter
3
Working in
Washington: Internships
Sidebar – Profile: Brian Walters
The Downsides of Internships
Sidebar – Internship Misunderstandings and Disappointments
How to Find an Internship
Sidebar – Profile: National Organization for Women (NOW) Internships
Sidebar – Profile: The Capitol Hill Internship Experience
How to Apply for an Internship
Sidebar – Profile: State Department Internships
How to Have a Successful Internship
Sidebar – Profile: Rep. Ron Kind
Sidebar – Profile: Congressional Research Service Internships
Sidebar – Profile: League of Conservation Voters Internships
How to Survive the Internship from Hell
Sidebar – Profile: U.S. Supreme Court Internships
How to End the Internship
Sidebar – Profile: U.S. General Accounting Office Internships
A Final Word
Internship Contacts
Chapter 4
Working in Washington: Congress
Who Runs Congress?
Sidebar – Profile: Shannon Tesdahl
Who’s Who in a Congressional Office
How to Find a Hill Job
Sidebar – Congressional Information Online
Sidebar – Guides to Congress
Sidebar – Capitol Hill Newspapers Online
The Downside of Working on Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill Contacts
Chapter 5
Working in Washington:
Federal Agencies and Departments
Sidebar – Federal Employee Job Attitudes
Qualifications and Salaries for Federal Jobs
How to Search for a Federal Job
Sidebar – Kiosks Provide Federal Job Information
How to Decipher Federal Vacancy Announcements
How to Prepare Your Federal Application Materials
Moving Beyond Vacancy Announcements
The Presidential Management Internship Program
Sidebar – Profile: Aparna Mohan
How to Avoid Federal Job Scams
Executive Branch Contacts
Chapter 6
Working in
Washington:
Interest Groups and Think Tanks
The Basics of Interest Groups
Sidebar – Profile: Lucy Alderton
Pluses and Minuses of Working for an Interest Group
How to Get a Job With an Interest Group
The Basics of Think Tanks
Sidebar – A Job Bank for Conservatives
Working at a Think Tank
Interest Group and Think Tank
Contacts
Chapter 7
Working in Washington:
Trade Associations and Labor Unions
Lobbying by Trade Associations and Labor Unions
Sidebar – Profile: Bess Kozlow
Working at a Trade Association or Labor Union
Trade Association and Labor Union
Contacts
Chapter
8
Working in Washington: The News Media
The Washington Press Corps
Sidebar – Profile: Neil Baumgardner
Getting a Job in the Washington Media
Sidebar – Community Newspapers Can Be Stepping Stones
News Media Contacts
Appendix A: Sample Resumes and Cover Letters
Appendix B: Federal Jobs by College Major
Appendix C: Federal Government Vacancy Announcements
Appendix D: Optional Application for Federal Employment – OF 612
Appendix E: Some of the Best General Job Hunting Sites on the Internet
Bibliography
Index
